Quiz: Can You Name These MLB Players Drafted Out of High School?: HowStuffWorks

Can You Name These MLB Players Drafted Out of High School?

SPORTS

By: Jacqueline Samaroo

7 Min Quiz

Image: Wiki Commons by Jeramey Jannene

About This Quiz

Play ball! Prove you are one hot dog when it comes to knowing who's who in the major leagues!

The Major League Baseball draft is one of the high points on the yearly baseball calendar. It is the chance for fans to find out who the hottest prospects are and which teams will be lucky enough to get them - whether as players or as bargaining chips.

It is true that many players choose to go on to college before going professional, but there are those who make that fateful decision to pursue baseball at the highest level right out of high school. Very often those brilliant up-and-comers have already given a glimpse of the greatness they have in store while they played for their high school teams. That greatness is often manifested in the awards they go on to win and the All-Star appearances they make.

This trivia-filled MLB quiz will help you to relive some of the best moments of these MLB players who were drafted out of high school and went on to make their mark on the game. Like that 14-time All-Star who was picked first by the Mariners in 1993 or the player who was first pick in 2005 when his brother was second pick a few years earlier. Will you be able to recognize them? Take the quiz and let's see how you do!

Dedicated MLB fans will definitely have the guts to step up to the plate and take a swing at this quiz. Don't strike out now - we are rooting for you! Start the quiz!

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Can you name this superstar who debuted with the Seattle Mariners?

Alex Rodriguez

Vernon Wells

CC Sabathia

Manny Machado

Alexander Rodriguez of Westminster Christian School (Miami, FL) was selected No. 1 overall by the Seattle Mariners in the 1993 Major League Baseball draft. A-Rod, as he is popularly known, went on to become one of the superstars of the game. Among his accolades is being a 14-time All-Star.

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Do you recognize this MVP of the 2014 World Series?

Alex Rios

Adam Jones

Madison Bumgarner

Scott Kazmir

Madison Bumgarner signed with the San Francisco Giants in 2007 – his first and only team, to date. Apart from his 2014 World Series MVP award, Bumgarner’s other achievements include two other World Series Championships (2010 and 2012), as well as being a 4-time All-Star. Bumgarner attended South Caldwell High School (Hudson, NC).

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Wiki Commons by KamenG

Can you name this player from Henry County High School (McDonough, GA) who started his career with the Atlanta Braves?

Jay Bruce

Shawon Dunston

Adam Wainwright

Jason Heyward

Although Jason Heyward currently plays for the Chicago Cubs, he was first drafted by the Atlanta Braves back in 2007 at age 17. Popularly known as J-Hey, he is highly regarded for his abilities as a right fielder and is the holder of 5 Gold Glove awards, so far.

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Which alumnus of Acadiana High School (Lafayette, LA) became a pitcher for the Mariners and Royals and is shown here?

Billy Butler

Mike Ivie

Gil Meche

Lance Lynn

The Seattle Mariners selected Gil Meche in the first round of the 1996 MLB draft and he debuted for them in 1999, at age 20. He was a pitcher with the Mariners until 2006, after which he signed with Kansas City Royals until his retirement in 2010.

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What is the name of this 6-time All-Star who debuted with the Brewers?

Josh Beckett

Prince Fielder

Matt Cain

Adrian Gonzalez

The Milwaukee Brewers chose Prince Fielder of Eau Gallie High School (Melbourne, FL) during the first round of the 2002 MLB draft. He stayed with the team until 2011, becoming their home run record holder in the process, then moved on to join the Detroit Tigers and the Texas Rangers.

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Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

Can you identify this pitcher known for his sinking fastballs?

Joe Mauer

Chad Billingsley

Kerry Wood

Jake Westbrook

Jacob “Jake” Westbrook attended Madison County High School (Danielsville, GA) before becoming the first-round pick for the Colorado Rockies in the 1996 draft. He has played with the New York Yankees and Cleveland Indians, as well as the St. Louis Cardinals whom he helped to the World Series Championship in 2011.

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Wiki Commons by Erik Drost

Who is this 2009 first-round pick by the Los Angeles Angels?

Josh Hamilton

Mike Trout

Justin Upton

Devin Mesoraco

Mike Trout of Millville Senior High School (Millville, NJ) was drafted by the Angels in 2009 and debuted for them one month before his 20th birthday in 2011. Trout has been an All-Star on seven occasions, so far, and became a member of the 30-30 club in 2012 when he had 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in the season.

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Wiki Commons by chris.ptacek

Do you recognize this pitcher from Vallejo High School (Vallejo, CA) who got picked by the Indians in 1998?

CC Sabathia

Andrew McCutchen

Alex Rodriguez

Cole Hamels

CC Sabathia played for the Cleveland Indians until 2008 and in that time he made the All-Star list on three occasions. He would move that total to six, with three more All-Star appearances between 2010 and 2011 while with the New York Yankees, for whom he still pitches, currently.

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Who did the Chicago Cubs draft as pick number 10 in 1997?

Michael Cuddyer

Jon Garland

Phil Hughes

Jeff Burroughs

After being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1997, Jon Garland went on to make his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2000. He stayed with that team until 2007, achieving All-Star status in 2005. He has had brief stints with at least five other teams, including twice with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Which 2-time All-Star and former student of Grand Prairie High School (Grand Prairie, TX) is shown here?

Adrian Gonzalez

Cole Hamels

Adam Wainwright

Kerry Wood

Kerry Wood was named the NL Rookie of the Year in 1998 when he tied the record for most strikeouts in a single game (20). Apart from the Chicago Cubs, who drafted him as 4th overall pick in 1998, he has also played for the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees. Wood returned to the Cubs in 2011 before retiring in 2012.

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Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

Can you name the center fielder and All-Star shown here?

Chad Billingsley

Vernon Wells

Adam Jones

Roy Halladay

Vernon Wells was drafted from Bowie High School (Arlington, TX) by the Toronto Blue Jays as 5th pick overall in 1997. He debuted for them in 1999 and went on to become a three-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner while with the team. His last stint in the MLB was in 2013 with the New York Yankees.

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Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

Can you identify the 2003 World Series MVP shown here?

Josh Beckett

Jeff Burroughs

Scott Kazmir

Zach Greinke

Josh Beckett, a former student of Spring High School (Spring, TX), has been a World Series champion twice. The first time was in 2003 with the Florida Marlins who had drafted him as second pick overall in 1999. Beckett also played for Boston Red Sox when they took the championship in 2007.

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What is the name of this player who was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1982?

Andrew McCutchen

Jason Heyward

Shawon Dunston

Jayson Werth

Shawon Dunston stayed with the Chicago Cubs from 1982, when he was selected by the team in the first overall MLB draft selections, until 1995. Dunston, a shortstop and outfielder, was an All-Star twice while with the Cubs – 1988 and 1990.

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Can you name this former student of Athens Drive High School (Raleigh, NC) who was the Devil Rays' first overall pick in 1999?

Manny Machado

Josh Hamilton

Billy Butler

Devin Mesoraco

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays chose Josh Hamilton as a highly regarded prospect in the 1999 MLB draft. Despite injury and addiction early in his professional career, Hamilton managed to earn All-Star status on five consecutive occasions – from 2008 to 2012, while playing for the Texas Rangers.

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Do you recognize this catcher and first baseman who spent his entire professional career with the Minnesota Twins?

Gil Meche

Mike Ivie

Joe Mauer

Clayton Kershaw

Mauer had excelled at baseball while he attended Cretin-Derham Hall High School (St. Paul, MN). In 2001, the Minnesota Twins chose the future six-time All-Star as first pick overall in the MLB draft. He spent all 15 years of his outstanding professional baseball career with the Twins who announced they would retire his number 7.

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Wiki Commons by Ken Lund

Which player shown here was drafted 19th overall in 1999?

Jay Bruce

Jake Westbrook

Lance Lynn

Alex Rios

Alex Rios was drafted from San Pedro Martin High School (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico) by the Toronto Blue Jays. He stayed with the team until 2009 and was an All-Star twice during that time. Rios went on to play for the Chicago White Sox, Texas Rangers and, finally, the Kansas City Royals, whom he helped to win the World Series in 2015.

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Can you identify the first baseman shown here who goes by the nickname El Titan?

Kerry Wood

Michael Cuddyer

Adrian Gonzalez

Madison Bumgarner First name spells radian

Adrian Gonzalez attended Eastlake High School (Chula Vista, CA) before being drafted as the first pick overall by the Florida Marlins in 2000. He was traded to the Texas Rangers and made his MLB debut with that team in 2004.

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Do you recognize the 5-time All-Star starting pitcher shown in this photo?

Zach Greinke

Felipe López

Phil Hughes

Prince Fielder

Donald Zachary “Zack” Greinke has been with the Arizona Diamondbacks since 2016. His initial team was the Kansas City Royals, who drafted him from Apopka High School (Apopka, FL) as the sixth pick overall in 2002. Greinke achieved All-Star status in 2009, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

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Who was drafted by the New York Mets as pick number 15 in 2002?

Jon Garland

Justin Upton

Alex Rodriguez

Scott Kazmir

Scott Kazmir made the All-Star roster in 2006 and 2008 while playing for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, to whom he was traded by the Mets. He was All-Star again in 2014, this time as a player for the Oakland Athletics. The Kazmanian Devil, as he is known to fans, is a former student of Cypress Falls High School (Houston, TX).

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What is the name of this pitcher who was drafted from Foothill High School (Santa Ana, CA) in 2004?

Phil Hughes

Devin Mesoraco

Roy Halladay

Kerry Wood

Phil “Peej” Hughes was chosen 21st overall by the New York Yankees in the 2004 draft. He debuted with them in 2007 against the Toronto Blue Jays, a couple of months before his 21st birthday. Hughes, who ended his tenure with the Yankees in 2013, was named on the 2010 All-Star roster.

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Which first baseman who was first pick of the 1970 draft is shown here?

Josh Hamilton

Alex Rios

Cole Hamels

Mike Ivie

Mike Ivie, a former student of Walker High School (Atlanta, GA), had just turned 19 when he debuted for the San Diego Padres in a 1971 game against the Atlanta Braves. He moved on in 1978 and spent the rest of his professional career playing for the San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers.

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Do you recognize this 5-time All-Star center fielder who once played for the Giants?

CC Sabathia

Andrew McCutchen

Jayson Werth

Mike Trout

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Andrew “Cutch” McCutchen from Fort Meade High School (Fort Meade, FL) as the 11th pick in the 2005 MLB draft. It wasn’t until 2009, however, that they debuted him in the major league. McCutchen stayed with the Pirates until 2017 and achieved All-Star status on five occasions during that time.

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Who is this rightfielder who played for the Reds, Mets and Indians?

Shawon Dunston

Clayton Kershaw

Matt Cain

Jay Bruce

When the Cincinnati Reds drafted 18-year-old Jay Bruce in 2005, it was as the 12th pick in the first round. Bruce, who attended West Brook High School (Beaumont, TX), went on to debut with the Reds in 2008 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Before leaving the Reds in 2016, Bruce already had three All-Star appearances to his credit.

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Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

Which designated hitter and first baseman who goes by the nickname “Country Breakfast” is shown here?

Josh Beckett

Michael Cuddyer

Billy Butler

Felipe López

Billy Ray Butler from Wolfson High School (Jacksonville, FL) was selected 14th overall by the Kansas City Royals in the 2004 MLB draft. Butler, who is known to fans as “Country Breakfast,” made the All-Star roster in 2012 – the same year he received the Silver Slugger Award.

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Which of these players was the 2005 number one pick at just 17 years old?

Chad Billingsley

Justin Upton

Adam Wainwright

David Wright

The Arizona Diamondbacks drafted Justin “J-Up” Upton as the first pick in the 1st round of the 2005 MLB draft. His older brother, Melvin Upton Jr., had been selected second overall by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 3 years earlier. Justin, who attended Great Bridge High School (Chesapeake, VA), has gone on to prove his worth by becoming a four-time All-Star.

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Can you identify this former student of Woodrow Wilson High School (Long Beach, CA) who was the 1st overall pick in 1969?

Jeff Burroughs

Vernon Wells

Jon Garland

Jake Westbrook

Back in 1969, the Texas Rangers were still known as the Washington Senators when they selected Jeff Burroughs as the first pick in the first round of the draft. Burroughs, an outfielder, is a two-time All-Star and the father of third baseman Sean Burroughs, whom the San Diego Padres selected ninth overall in 1998.

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Can you name this 2009 All-Star who spent most of his career with the Dodgers?

Felipe López

Joe Mauer

Chad Billingsley

Mike Trout

Chad Billingsley was attending Defiance High School (Defiance, OH) when he was chosen by the Los Angeles Dodgers as the 24th pick in the first round of the 2003 MLB draft. The pitcher moved on to the Philadelphia Phillies for the 2015 season and then on to a career as a high school baseball coach.

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Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

Which former student of Brownsburg High School (Brownsburg, IN) was drafted in 2005 but chose to move on to college?

Mike Ivie

Alex Rios

Lance Lynn

Zach Greinke

In 2005, the Seattle Mariners picked Lance Lynn in the sixth round of the draft, but he decided to attend college instead. He was back in the MLB draft pool in 2008 and this time it was the St. Louis Cardinals who opted for future the All-Star as the 39th pick in the first round.

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Wiki Commons by Bryce Edwards

Which player known as “The Horse” and “Big Sugar” is shown here?

Gil Meche

Matt Cain

Manny Machado

Jay Bruce

Matt Cain of Houston High School (Germantown, TN) was chosen by the San Francisco Giants as the 25th pick in the first round of the 2002 MLB draft. Cain spent his entire professional career with the Giants, helping them to the World Series championships in 2010 and 2012.

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Can you identify this starting pitcher from the 2006 draft who goes by the nickname “The Claw”?

Jayson Werth

Jason Heyward

Josh Beckett

Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw has been with the Los Angeles Dodgers ever since 2006 when they drafted him as the seventh pick overall. He is a former student of Highland Park High School (University Park, TX) where he excelled at both baseball and football. Kershaw has been an All-Star seven times and earned the Triple Crown in pitching in 2011.

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Wiki Commons by D. Benjamin Miller

Who is the 2014 All-Star catcher shown in this photo?

Devin Mesoraco

Billy Butler

Roy Halladay

Mike Trout

Devin Mesoraco from Punxsutawney High School (Punxsutawney, PA) was the 15th pick in the first round of the 2007 MLB draft thanks to being selected by the Cincinnati Reds. Mesoraco played for the Reds up to 2018 when he was traded to the New York Mets.

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Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

Do you recognize this major league center fielder who attended Samuel F. B. Morse High School (San Diego, CA)?

Madison Bumgarner

Shawon Dunston

Matt Cain

Adam Jones

After being selected in the number 37 position by the Seattle Mariners in the 2007 draft, Adam Jones stayed with the team until 2007. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 2008 and so far has made five All-Star appearances, as well as won a Silver Slugger Award and four Gold Glove Awards as a member of that team.

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Can you identify this starting pitcher who goes by the nickname “Hollywood”?

Cole Hamels

David Wright

Joe Mauer

Justin Upton

The Philadelphia Phillies chose Cole Hamels as the 17th pick overall in the 2002 MLB draft. Hamels, who once attended Rancho Bernardo High School (San Diego, CA), is a four-time All-Star who helped the Phillies to the World Series championships in 2008. He has since pitched for the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs.

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Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

Which shortstop and third baseman is shown in this photo?

Alex Rodriguez

Zach Greinke

Manny Machado

Jon Garland

Manny Machado began his professional career with the Baltimore Orioles after they selected him as the third overall pick in the 2010 draft. Machado, who is a former student of Brito Miami Private School (Miami, FL), made the All-Star roster on four occasions before the Orioles traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

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Wiki Commons by Ken Lund

Do you recognize this pitcher who was drafted by the Braves but had his majors debut with the Cardinals?

Adam Wainwright

Vernon Wells

Jeff Burroughs

Clayton Kershaw

It was the Atlanta Braves who drafted Adam Wainwright from Glynn Academy High School (Brunswick, GA) as 29th pick in the 2000 draft. They traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2003, with whom he made his major league debut in 2005, then helped them to the World Series championship in 2006.

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Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

What is the name of this 8-time All-Star pitcher who goes by the nickname “Doc”?

Adrian Gonzalez

Roy Halladay

Gil Meche

Prince Fielder

The Toronto Blue Jays selected Roy Halladay of Arvada West High School (Arvada, CO) as the 17th pick in the first round of the 1995 MLB draft. Halladay went on to make five of his eight All-Star appearances with the Blue Jays before they traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies, for whom he pitched a perfect game in 2010.

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Wiki Commons by Arturo Pardavila III

Can you name this player from the 1997 draft who was picked 9th overall by the Minnesota Twins?

Michael Cuddyer

Prince Fielder

David Wright

Josh Hamilton

Michael Cuddyer from Great Bridge High School (Chesapeake, VA) made his majors debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2001 after they had drafted him back in 1997. He made the All-Star roster in 2011 while still with the Twins and again in 2013 after joining the Colorado Rockies.

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Which third baseman who goes by the nickname “Captain America” is shown in this photo?

Jake Westbrook

Phil Hughes

David Wright

Adam Jones

The New York Mets drafted David Wright in 38th place overall in 2001 and he stayed with the team for his entire professional career. The Hickory High School (Chesapeake, VA) alumnus achieved superstar status with the Mets, with accolades including making seven All-Star appearances and becoming a member of the 30-30 club in 2007.

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Can you name the player shown here who was drafted at 8th overall by the Blue Jays in 1998?

Felipe López

Jason Heyward

Lance Lynn

Scott Kazmir

Puerto Rican-born Felipe López attended Lake Brantley High School (Altamonte Springs, FL) before being picked by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1998 MLB draft. He has played with several other teams during his career but it was in 2005 while signed to his second team, the Cincinnati Reds, that he made it as an All-Star and won the Silver Slugger Award.

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Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

Which outfielder, popularly known as “Werewolf,” is shown here?

Madison Bumgarner

CC Sabathia

Jayson Werth

Andrew McCutchen

In 1997, the Baltimore Orioles chose Jayson Werth from Glenwood High School (Chatham, IL) as the 22nd pick in the first round of the MLB draft. He was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2000. Another trade saw Werth playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, with whom he was an All-Star in 2009 after becoming World Series champion in 2008.

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